Finding refuge, even when I don’t feel like it.

Are you in need of a break or some rest? As the end of the semester winds down (or maybe, “up” for you), are you feeling overwhelmed or stressed? Possibly, you are feeling burdened with the issues in your life and you are needing some relief. Whether the reasons are “small,” everyday things or unusually difficult circumstances, most of us could use some replenishing right now– yet it may feel is if there is no room for this to occur.

In a battle or under an attack by an enemy, there is a great need for a place of refuge– a place to hide. We also need a place to retreat to and recover. But how do we hide when we feel so…. tired, so… stressed or so… busy? There is a place provided. The question is: are we taking cover there?

Take cover

I have talked about this before; but the imagery God uses for our place of refuge is that of a mother bird covering her baby bird with her wing for it’s protection. Here, the little bird is about as close as it can be to it’s mother— the best place for protection. That is why Psalm 36 says:

And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

Our feelings often tell us to search for other places for rest. We may feel like we can do no more, or that life feels unfair. The answer can feel like it is found in what we can protect (our time, feelings or space); for who else is going to take care of us? This just leads us back to striving for our rest.

When I face doubts and challenges, my heart’s desire is to be near the Lord and protected under His wing. This is where I want to go for refuge when I feel like I need to protect my time, my rights or my space. When I feel all sorts of things, this is the one sure place of refuge. Why go anywhere else? When I am protected and covered, then I can rest

In an earlier post I shared a photo of the fort my kids were working on. It was pretty awesome but was also pretty visible (which isn’t a problem when you don’t suspect any enemy armies are about to take your fort down.) Here it is was a few weeks ago:

Now the fort is a much better place to hide and take refuge. Since the spring foliage has returned, it is much more covered and camouflaged. Here it is now:

Ok, the door does give it away, but it is still pretty cool.

That is what I want: a place of refuge that is secure, protecting, near the Lord and covered under His wing– no matter how I feel.